POWER OF SURRENDER

All the constituents of this world can be divided into two categories – Living and Non-Living. Of all the living creatures on Earth, only human beings are free to exercise the will in whatever they want to do. Man is free to do anything – good or bad, right or wrong, logical or illogical, useful or useless, constructive or destructive, creative or fixed and so on. But he does not have the right on the consequences or result of his actions. This makes a man think before he does any action. It is just like a student can only prepare and take the exam but cannot predict the result. The result is beyond his control and right. Good actions give good results and good results give better and happy life. The doer, his family, community, society, nation and world at large benefit from that individual’s good action. On the other hand, bad actions cause pains to the individual as well as the family and society at large. Better the action, better will be the result and life.

It is very difficult task to take the responsibility of all the actions, the Vedas suggest that man should give a self suggestion: “ O’God, I perform all the tasks of the materialistic world holding YOU as my witness. Hence whatever- good or bad I have done that is an offer unto YOU.” On the same lines, Lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagwat Geeta says, “ Whatsoever you do, whatsoever you eat, whatsoever you drink, do it as an offer unto ME.”

This small but bold surrender on the part of the doer, detaches the human being from the consequences of actions. This kind of feeling and total surrender enables the doer to work more, act more for building this world of ours.

As we attach with our actions, we are detached from God – the force uniting the souls of all living creatures. This detachment also leads to deterioration of our TOTAL SURRENDER. More the attachment with actions and their consequences, lesser will the surrender. Owing to this attachment, we indulge in actions which are not worthy of higher living. The five ghosts- lust, anger, attachment, greed and false pride - destroy good life of human beings. Many wrongs are done under the influence of these five ghosts. Men (all human beings) who have an attitude and feeling: "God whatever I am enjoying in this world is your gift" emjoy the life more than others.

Nothing in this world belongs to us. Whatever appears to be ours is due to our mental attachment and relationships created out of attachment. In some Bhagwat Geeta, I read:

Wanting objects, breeds attachment;
From attachment arises covetousness;
Covetousness leads to anger;
Anger destroys memory;
When memory is destroyed, choice is rendered
And man dooms.

No sooner our relationship is broken from the things and persons, we start treating them as aliens. For example, the death of a loved one forces us to detach ourselves from that person.

God, Soul and Nature are all pervasive, omniscient and omnipresent. These three entities were always in the world and will always remain so. The relationship with these three entities can never be artificial or fake only for projection. When we do not surrender our actions to God, much of our emotional and mental energy is blocked in calculating the consequence of our actions. On the other hand, if we surrender, we shall be progressing forward in life.

Loving God, we are able to detach ourselves from Lust, Anger, Attachment, Greed and false Pride. By just detaching ourselves from these five ghosts, we start feeling “I am a drop in the ocean called universe.” This humbleness leads to real happiness. This permanent real happiness is termed as Sadachitananda i.e. ever blissfulness. This all happens due to TOTAL SURRENDER. Surrender and enjoy true happiness.

TRIBUTE TO ISHMEET - A DAFFODIL

Ishmeet, little known to me before his rising as star of “VOICE OF INDIA”, was a daffodil for Ludhianvis, Punjabis and all Indians.Daffodil lives for short time but gives more fragrance and pleasure to the beholders. Wise prefer daffodils to old oaks. Old oaks too love daffodils. Deffodils are the energising force for old oaks. So was our dear Ishmeet for young and old.

The young generation burst into tears, cried and sobbed on hearing the news of the untimely death of this daffodil of “ Indian Music”. When the sad news broke, none – young or old – believed the media till it was confirmed by newspapers with complete details.

I, being a Ludhianvi and closely known to his chacha Dr. C.K. Singh attended antim ardas (the last prayer in Sikhism) on 3rd August, 2008. The sea of humanity flooded Guru Dwara Singh Sabha Ludhiana to pay last homage to the departed soul. Chief Minister Punjab, S. Parkash Singh Badal along with battery of Jathedars from different Takhats paid profuse tributes to the departed soul. Dr. C.K. Singh told me that when Ishmeet met Lata Mangeshkar – the greatest Indian Singer- for the first time, he missed a beat by this great honour at such a young age. Though I never met him yet we talked a lot about in our meetings of Club Francaise Litterair..

Kaka Ishmeet adorned “Rehat” of Sikhism. Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle had cast him into a complete true Sikh. Unshorn hair, sporting beautiful turban, white glasses and innocent teenaged looks all added grace to his personality. Simply looking at his face one could feel a soothing sensation within. Many times when I saw him on the screen, I wondered that this young man had no streak of anguish on his face and his mere appearance soothed me if I was in bad mood.His innocent looks elevate my spirits and encourage to go beyond my routine of life. The songs and recitation of Gurbani Salokas really touch the hearts of millions irrespective of caste,creed or nationality. The life and personality of Kaka Ishmeet is an inspiration and true “Role Model” for the Sikh young generation to sport unshorn hair and follow the true tenets of Sikhism. Ishmeet has immortalized himself with his songs. But the loss to the parents – especially a mom of 19yrs young son and sister is beyond words. I was moved when I read the banner hung outside the Gurudwara:

Zamana to bare shok se, sun raha tha,
Tum hi so gaye, dastan kahtey kahtey.

(The world was listening to you with great interest, but you slept forever before completing your songs/stories)

LETTER TO A BILLIONAIRE IN JAIL

LETTER TO A BILLIONAIRE IN JAIL

Honourable Sir,

You are brave, bold, brilliant visionary. This is my assessment. Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan. But, sir, I love you. I respect your vision.

You have built an institution of learning because that’s the true wealth of the nation and society. I respect you because you built that school where the children of the future will get education. Education is the best asset of a child. Lord Krishna has given four yogas in Srimad Bhagwat Geeta. First is Bhakti Yoga, next is Karma Yoga , then Raj Yoga and finally Jnan Yoga i.e. acquiring and practicing the knowledge and learning for the benefit of the nation and world at large. A drop of water says, "I am an ocean" while ocean says, "I am the collection of the drops." So an individual is the drop of an ocean called "universe". Man without learning and education is nothing but sheer animal.

Sir, I have also undergone tremendous troubles in life. But all these troubles taught me lessons. Prosperity gives friends and adversity tests them. This is my experience. Now life is clear and 2nd inning of life will be based on true assets not on frivolous expectations. Money as seen by common people of small vision is means of living not an end of living. Here is a small story with a moral.

Once a bankrupt multi-billionaire came to Mr. Norman Vincent Peale - the world famous positive thinker and sat on the chair with his head drooped. Mr. Vincent in his book, “ The Power of Positive Thinking” states and asked that billionaire,” what is the problem? Why have you sunk into this chair?” The bankrupt billionaire told him, “ I have lost everything and am bankrupt.” Mr. Vincent asked him, “Were you billionaire when you were born?” “No! not at all. Every thing I earned in my life,” he replied turning his hands towards the sky, shrinking his shoulders and raising his eye brows. “Then what have you lost. What you had at the time of birth, you have more than that now. Why do you worry and brood over the loss?” “How sir?” with great surprise and humility the bankrupt billionaire enquired.

“Do you have wife?” asks Vincent “Yes sir,” answered the bankrupt.
“Is she loyal to you?” adds Vincent “Yes sir 100% sir.”
“Don’t you have more than what you had at the time of birth?” “Yes right sir.”
“Then why do you worry and bother about loss? Look at the brighter side of life and you will be happy.”
The billionaire felt relieved and smiled. Relaxed mind was there. In the second attempt, using his experiences, he again became the billionaire and left a legacy of billions for his coming generations. Most of the people do not enjoy what they have. They always grumble what they don't have. They go on amassing what is not needed and ignore what is needed sir.

So, sir, you have your knowledge your experiences and you are positive in your attitude.

I salute you and your spirit to work for this world in 2nd inning of life.

With warm regards

Truly yours,

Keshap

मेरी बौद्ध यात्रा

ज्ञान जीवन है, अज्ञानता अभिशाप !

मैं लगातार ज्ञान प्राप्त कर सफल होने का उदाहरण हूं,
जहां मैं कल कमजोर था, वहां मैं आज समक्ष हूं,
जहां मैं संदेह से घिरा था, वहां मैं आज सुनिश्चित हूं
आओ दोस्तों ! यही समय है ! मेरे अनुभवों से सीखने का।

v शिक्षा का अर्थ मात्र नौकरी पाना या धन कमाना ही है, बल्कि सम्पूर्ण व्यक्तित्व का विकास करना है।
v शिक्षा द्वारा चरित्र का निर्माण होता है, मस्तिष्क की शक्ति बढ़ती है, बुद्धि का विकास होता है और मनुष्य अपने पैरों पर खड़ा हो सकता है।
: स्वामी विवेका नंद जी
v धन वह इक्कठा करो जो तुम्हारी रक्षा करे ।
न कि वह जिस की रक्षा तुम्हें करनी पड़ ।